Method and apparatus for synchronizing base stations
First Claim
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1. A method for time synchronizing a plurality of base stations in a wireless communication system, comprising:
- detecting at least one of a plurality of out-of-sync base stations;
measuring a plurality of cell timing signals, wherein the measuring includes sending a request for a base station time of arrival (BSTOA) value to at least one of the out-of-sync base stations, and transmitting the BSTOA value;
correcting the at least one of a plurality of out-of-sync base stations, whereinthe correcting includes;
comparing the BSTOA value with a stored BSTOA value;
generating a correction message;
transmitting the correction message to the out-of-sync base station;
receiving a report from the out-of-sync base station; and
updating a covariant matrix database;
maintaining the covariant matrix database on a radio network controller (RNC);
wherein at least one out-of-sync base station or at least one user equipment (UE) is under control of at least two different RNCs, and;
establishing a communications path between the at least two different RNCs; and
performing base station synchronizing.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for synchronizing base stations employing an independent synchronizing source or identifying a base station as a master source. An RNC (C-RNC) or a base station may designate one base station or a UE to acquire measurements derived from base stations to achieve synchronization. Synchronization activities may be regularly scheduled or may be undertaken when periodic measurements indicate that a drift value exceeds a given threshold.
71 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for time synchronizing a plurality of base stations in a wireless communication system, comprising:
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detecting at least one of a plurality of out-of-sync base stations; measuring a plurality of cell timing signals, wherein the measuring includes sending a request for a base station time of arrival (BSTOA) value to at least one of the out-of-sync base stations, and transmitting the BSTOA value; correcting the at least one of a plurality of out-of-sync base stations, wherein the correcting includes; comparing the BSTOA value with a stored BSTOA value; generating a correction message; transmitting the correction message to the out-of-sync base station; receiving a report from the out-of-sync base station; and updating a covariant matrix database; maintaining the covariant matrix database on a radio network controller (RNC); wherein at least one out-of-sync base station or at least one user equipment (UE) is under control of at least two different RNCs, and; establishing a communications path between the at least two different RNCs; and performing base station synchronizing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for time synchronizing a plurality of base stations in a wireless communication system, comprising:
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scheduling a plurality of cell timing measurements of at least one of a plurality of base stations; making the cell timing measurements, wherein the making of the cell timing measurements includes; blanking a downlink physical synchronization channel in the plurality of base stations; receiving a burst signal in one of a plurality of base stations; and measuring the burst signal at the one of the plurality of base stations; developing a plurality of time drift factor values for the at least one of the plurality of base stations; and scheduling periodic time update transmissions to the at least one of the plurality of base stations.
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5. A base station (BS) for a wireless digital system with the ability to time synchronize to at least one of a plurality of other base stations, comprising:
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circuitry configured to detect at least one of a plurality of out-of-sync base stations; circuitry configured to measure a plurality of cell timing signal values; circuitry configured to receive a measured and sent base station time of arrival (BSTOA) value from the out-of-sync base station; circuitry configured to correct the at least one of out-of-sync base stations, wherein the circuitry configured to correct includes circuitry configured to compare the at least one out-of-sync base station'"'"'s BSTOA value with a stored BSTOA value found in a covariant matrix database; circuitry configured to transmit a correction message and receive a report; and circuitry configured to update the covariant matrix database from data from the report. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A base station (BS) for a wireless digital system with the ability to time synchronize a plurality of other base stations, comprising:
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circuitry configured to schedule a plurality of time sync measurements from at least one of a plurality of other base stations; circuitry configured to develop a time sync drift pattern for the at least one of the plurality of other base stations and; circuitry configured to schedule periodic update transmissions to the at least one of the plurality of other base stations; circuitry configured to blank a plurality of downlink physical synchronization channels in a plurality of base stations; and circuitry configured to send a burst signal to at least one of the plurality of base stations to measure a BSTOA value from at least one of the plurality of base stations.
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8. A base station (BS) for a wireless digital system with the ability to time synchronize a plurality of other base stations and which minimizes service interruption needed to time synchronize, comprising:
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circuitry configured to schedule a plurality of time sync measurements from at least one of a plurality of other base stations; circuitry configured to develop a time sync drift pattern for the at least one of the plurality of other base stations; circuitry configured to schedule periodic frequency update transmissions to the at least one of the plurality of other base stations; circuitry configured to blank a plurality of downlink physical synchronization channels in a plurality of base stations; and circuitry configured to send a burst signal to at least one of a plurality of base stations to measure a BSTOA value from at least one of a plurality of base stations.
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Specification